Could Browns trade Jim Schwartz after hiring Todd Monken as new head coach?

Multiple reports noted that Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was upset that he lost out on the team's head-coaching job to former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

The Browns have Schwartz under contract and would like him to continue serving as their defensive coordinator under Monken. That said, some have wondered if Cleveland could shop Schwartz's services to an interested club.

On Sunday, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand suggested that the club won't play hardball if Schwartz is serious about wanting to work elsewhere later this year. 

What history says about how the Browns will handle Jim Schwartz

"Head coaches have been traded in the past, the latest being New Orleans’ Sean Payton to Denver in 2023 for first- and third-round draft picks," Grossi wrote. "But I don’t recall an assistant coach ever being traded. The Browns could have considered a trade in 2024 when offensive line coach Bill Callahan asked out of his contract to join his son with the Tennessee Titans. But they didn’t. The Browns also allowed Kyle Shanahan out of his contract in 2015 when he became disillusioned with the dysfunction surrounding the 2014 season. Overall, the precedent is there for the Browns to just let Schwartz walk away – if that’s what he wants." 

Stories had linked Schwartz with the Pittsburgh Steelers and with the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers recently named Patrick Graham their next defensive coordinator, while the Niners are going with Raheem Morris as their DC.

What might Jim Schwartz want to do next season? 

During a Monday morning appearance on Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter indicated there could be a scenario where cooler heads prevail and Schwartz works on Monken's staff through at least the 2026 season. Grossi acknowledged that Schwartz staying with the Browns is "possible" if team owner Jimmy Haslam is willing to offer the coach a raise. 

"It depends on Schwartz’s top priority at this time – more money from the Browns, or the chance to return to the Super Bowl," Grossi added. 

ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted that other teams "didn’t get the sense from anyone that [Schwartz would] shake loose from Cleveland" this offseason. Assuming no trade is coming, it sounds like Schwartz may have to swallow some pride and give the Browns one more campaign before he searches for head-coaching jobs next winter.